Shining a light on shady software: ALLIANCE PLANNING TO IDENTIFY HARMFUL PROGRAMS AND SITES.

Byline: Michael Bazeley

Jan. 25--A coalition of academics, consumer advocates and technology firms is taking aim at malicious software, launching a site today that it hopes will help protect consumers and place software makers under the harsh glare of scrutiny.

The Stop Badware Coalition said it intends to shine a spotlight on companies that trick Internet users into downloading programs that steal personal information, launch unwanted ads and spread computer viruses.

The effort is being run by Harvard University's Berkman Center and the Oxford Internet Institute, with help from Consumer Reports. Technology companies Google, Lenovo and Sun …